Heat regulating or governing apparatus.



No. 696,799. Patented Apr. I, |902.'-

T. CLARKSN. HEAT REGULATING 0B GOVERNING APPARATUS.

(Application led Oct. 28, 1901.) (No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet I.

2. o m ru p A d4 e t n e .ff a P N. 0 S K Dn A L C .L 0m 9 7, 6 .9. 6 0. N

HEAT REGULATING 0R GVERNING APPARATUS.

{Applcation filed Oct. 2B, 190l.\

sheets-Sheet 2,.

(No Model.)

No. 696,799. Y Patented Apr. l, |9112.

T. cLAnKsoN. y

HEAT REGULATING 0R GOVEBNING APPARATUS.

(Application med oct. 2s, 1901.1 (No Model.) 5 Shams-Sheet 3.

No. 696,799. Patented Apr. I, |902.

T. CLARKSON. HEAT BEGULATING 0R GDVERNING APPARATUS.

(Application led Oct. 28, 1901.)

5 Sheets-Sheet 4.

(No Model.)

'ma Nokms percus co. pumoumm. wmuc'fon. o, c.

No. 696,799. mentenV Apr. l, |992.

T. CLARKSON.

HEAT BEGULATING 0R GVERNING APPARATUS.

(Application led Oct. 28, 1901.)

(No Model.) A 5 Sheets-Sheet 5.

m: Ncmms 51ans cu. Pmrrouwo., wAsmNaToN. u. c.

4thvmnn @raras Parham Ormes.

THOMAS OLARKSON, OF LONDON, ENGLAND.

HEAT REG U LATING OHGOVERNING APPRATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 696,799, dated April 1, 1902.

Application filed October 28, 1901. Serial No. 80,320. (No model.)

m London, England, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Heat Regulating or Governing Apparatus, (for which I have made application for Letters Patent in Great Britain, under No. 23,794, dated December' 29, 1900,) of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to heat regulating or governing apparatus, and is more particularly applicable for use with steam-generators heated by oil, vapor, or similar burners, its object being to enable the burner to be controlled-that is to say, the flame decreased or increasedin accordance with the temperature of the contents of the generator.

According to this inventionthe flame of the burner or burners employedto heat the genera-tor is controlled by the movement of a rod or lever-,which is connected in a suitable way to a spindle attached to a diaphragm inclosed in a casing. The diaphragm is acted upon in some convenient manner by a spring or weight, and the pressure or tension, as the case may be, of this spring or the weight may or may not be adjustable, as desired. One face of the diaphragm constitutes the wall of a chamber into which oil, water, or other liuid can be forced by a pump. The plunger of this pump is reciprocated by a rocking arm preferably actuated by the main engine driven by the steam from the generator which is controlled. A special auxiliary engine may, if desired, be employed, so that the operation of the regulator may be insured and the temperature of the generator controlled when the main engine is not working. A yielding connection is disposed between the pump-plunger and the rocking arm, so that the latter can continue to move without straining the parts when the pump-plunger is held more or less rigidly by mechanism, such as hereinafter' described. The arrangement is such that as long as tho pump-plunger is held inoperative the flame from the burner will remain unaltered; but as soon as the hold ou the pumpplunger is relaxed the rocking arm will cause it to be reoiprocated and fluid will be forced into the diaphragm-chamber. The result will cause such movement of the mechanism controlling the burner as to decrease the flame.

`When the pump-plunger is again held, the pressure on the diaphragm falls off and the flame of the burner again increases. The pump-plunger is held inoperative or released by a device directly governed by the tempel'- ature of the contents of the generator. The essential parts of this device may comprise a substance fusible at a temperature approximating to that at which it is desired to maintain the contents of the generator. In an alternative construction a friction device may be employed actuated by the unequal expansion of metallic members having different coefficients of expansion arranged so that they are subjected to the heat et the contents of the generator.

The arrangement of the pump and mechanism for operating it may conveniently be as follows: The plunger of the pump :is extended and carries on it two preferably adju stable collars disposed at a suitable distance apart. Between these collars is a sliding collar or sleeve connected to the end of the rocking arm, previously referred to. The sliding collar may be formed on the end of this lever or be carried rigidly thereon, or the end of the lever may be forked and connected to the slidin g collar by gudgeon-pins, with which the latter is provided. Where the collar is rigidly connected to the rocking lever, the opening through which the extension of the pump-plunger passes is made of such size as to allow of the radial movement of the collar when the rocking arm is in motion, the eX- tension of the pump-plunger through this collar always being maintained in astraight line- If desired, however, the extension of the pump-plunger may be pivotally connected to the end of the plunger itself, the sleeve being pivotally carried on the end of the rocking arm and being made a sliding lit on the extension of the plunger. Between the sliding collar and the lixed collars are arranged coiled springs. These may be helical, conical,or otherwise arranged. The ends of these springs conveniently rest in recesses formed in the lixed and sliding collars. The arrangement is such as-to enable the pumpplunger to be reciprocated by the rocking arm so long as the pump plunger is not held against this movementby a device such as previously referred to.

IOO

lVhen the pumpplunger is held inoperative, the yielding connection allows the rocking lever to continue its movement without straining the parts. It

will be seen that this yielding connectionv limits the amount of pressure which can be applied to the diaphragm through the liuid forced into the diaphragm-chamber by the pump.

The pump when in operation draws fluid from a suitable reservoir and forces it into the diaphragm-chamber. A by-pass is arranged between the passage leading from the pump to the diaphragm-chamber and the reservoir, a suitable valve or cock enabling the amount of liquid passing through this by-pass to be adjusted. This by-pass enables the pressure which the pump will cause to be eX- erted on the diaphragm to be adjusted, and also allows the fluid in the diaphragm-chamber to liow back into the reservoir.

An air vessel may, if desired, be situated in connection with the passage between the pump and the diaphragm-chamber. A second by-pass may be arranged between the air vessel and the diaphragm-chamber, this bypass being controlled by a suitable valve or cock, which can be set as desired. This cock may be yso arranged as to also control the lift of the delivering-valve of the pump. This by-pass is designed to prevent rapid fluctuation or pulsations of pressure in the diayphragm-chamber.

A form of device where a fusible substance is employed to effect the holding of the pumpplunger may be as follows: A receptacle of suitable construction and shape is subjected to the heat of the contents of the generator. The receptacle contains a fusible substance, which may conveniently be some alloy or metal. Projecting into this fusible substance is a peg or suitably-shaped piece carrying a lever-arm. The free end of this arm is connected to the pump-plunger. A convenient arrangement is to lead the contents of the generator through a tube coiled helically, metal being cast around this helical coil, so as to inclose it in the wall of the receptacle. The inp terior of the receptacle may be cylindrical,

polygonal, o r otherwise shaped, and the peg or plug adapted to lie within it may be either cylindrical, polygonal, iiuted, ribbed, or otherwise shaped, `as found most suitable. The peg may be formed solid or maybe hollowed out in order to increase the hold of the fusible substance upon it. Conveniently both the receptacle and peg are cylindrical, the one having a moderately-loose fit within the other. In this construction a thin skin of fusible substance can lie between the peg and the wall of the receptacle, this thin skin combining with the hold which the fusible substance obtains upon the lower end of the peg or upon its interior when formed' hollow to grip the peg and maintain the'lever, and consequently the pump-plunger,immovable. Itisdesirable to prevent air or dirt from gaining access to the fusible substance contained in the receptacle. To effect this, the peg may conveniently be provided at its outer end with a flange, upon which is a downwardly-directed circumferential rib or ridge adapted to lie within a .corresponding annular groove formed in the top of the receptacle containing the fusible substance. In this groove is preferably disposed a small quantity of the fusible substance, which thus forms an air-lock around the peg. The lever previously referred to .may be attached to the outer end of the peg in any convenient manner.

The type of generator to which this apparatus is particularly applicable is that in which the water is forced into one of a continuous tubular conduit, steam being drawn from the other end. The coilsituated in the wall of the receptacle containing the fusible substance is included in this conduit, so that the contents of the generator continually pass through this coil. Thus the receptacle is maintained at the same temperature as that of the contents of the generator at that part of the conduit in which the regulator-coil is introduced. So long as this temperature is below the desired limit, the fusible substance remains in a solid state, the rocking lever connected to the peg is rigidly held, and the pump thus maintained inoperative. As soon as the temperature limit is reached or exceeded the substance is fused and the rocking lever set free,with the result that the pump commences to work, and in consequence of the pressure of the fluid inthe diaphragm-chamber the burner is controlled in the manner above described.

In the case where a friction device is employed to hold the pump inoperative the lever connected to the pump-plunger may bc mounted on a peg, which its within a casing of suitable metal which is subjected to the heat of the contents of the generator in some convenient manner. This may be effected by jacketing the casing or leading a coil of tube through it, as in the case of the receptacle above referred to for containinga fusible substance. In this construction the expansion of the metal and consequent increase in the diameter of the orifice is relied on to release the plug and allow the lever and pumpplunger to be moved. When the temperature falls, the decrease in the diameter of the oriice within which the peg lies causes the peg to be gripped and held by the friction, so as to prevent the lever and pump-plunger from moving. The peg may be cylindrical, the casing being correspondingly shaped; but a convenient construction is to make the peg conical, the orilice in the casing being similarly formed. The peg is so mounted that it can be adjusted axially, this adjustment enabling the apparatus to be set in accordance with the temperature at which it is required to become operative-that is to say, the temperature at which the peg will be released and the pump-plunger allowed to be reciprocated.

In another construction of friction device IOO IIO

hinged jaws may be arranged to grip the periphery of a disk or drum carried on the pivotpin of the lever connected to the pumpplunger. The periphery of the disk may be grooved or otherwise formed to increase the gripping surface. The `hinged arms are caused to grip or release the disk owing to the unequal expansion o f metallic members connected to these arms, the metallic members being subjected in some convenient way to the heat of the contents of the generator. In one arrangement the metallic members may be formed tubular and disposed one within the other. The outer member may be formed of steel and attached at one end-to one hinged gripping-arm, the'other member being formed ofbrass and arranged concentri'cally within the steel member and attached to the other hinged gripping-arm. `The free ends of the two members are rigidly connected together and mounted on some convenient base. If desired, the gripping-jaws may be operated by the movement of members having different coeiiicients of expansion and arranged in any suitable way.

The frictiondevice may be otherwise arranged or some known form of friction-clutchv may be employed, ,soA as to be operated by metallic members such as above indicated.`

Where the friction device is so arranged as to be operated by the expansion of metallic members, asabove indicated', it is advisable to dispose a yielding connection of some convenient nature between the members and the friction device. Any distortion or straining of the members is thus obviated.

This invention has been above described in connection with a steam-generator; but it is to be understoodthat it may equally well be employed in conjunction with a generator for vaporizing the fuel for consumption in a large oil-vapor or similar burner.

The details'of construction may be varied considerably in accordance with the requirements and themachinery with which the invention is to be used.

It will be appreciated that the above-desc ribed regulating or governing apparatus may be usedwith one, two, or moreburners disposed in groups and in conjunction with one or more generators. j

The invention is specially applicable for use with motor-vehicles propelled by steampower. g

Referring' to the drawings, Figure l isa sectional plan, and Fig. 2 is a sectional side elevation, of a burner-controlling apparatus constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation on the line X X of Fig. 2. Figs. -l 'and 5 are respectively an elevation and sectional end View of a modiied construction of locking device. Fig. 6 is a section von the line Y Y of Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a sectional plan, and Fig. S an end view, ofa

further-modified construction of locking device; and Fig. 9 is a sectional elevation ou g the line Z Z ot Fig. 7.

.of the diaphragm.

A is thencontrolling-lrod, B the diaphragm, and G, the pump.

Referring more Iparticularly to Figs. l, 2, and 3, in' which l have shown the `apparatus applied to a vapor-burner wherein the vapor is delivered'from a pipe D by a nozzle E into an induction-tube E', where it acts on the principle of an injector, sucking the air into a closed box, (not shown,) which forms the under part of the burner proper7 the free end of the induction-tube is preferably bellshaped or conical, andthe nozzle E is Aplaced centrally of the tube at the commencement of its normal diameter. The point A ofthe controlling-rod A is adapted to enter the vapor-delivery oriflcell]2 of the nozzle, so that when the point ofthe rod is moved into or outof the oriiice the quantity of vapor passing into Vlthe induction-tube of the burner is decreased orl increased. The other end of the controlling rod or, lever is connected to one end of the lever A2, carried by a spindle E3, mounted in an extension on the inductiontube, or the controlling-lever may be formed integral with the lever A2. The lever A3* is fulcrumed coaxially with the lever A2 and is provided with a clamping-screwA, by means of which itis secured to the spindle. The lever is moved in one direction by the upward movement of the diaphragm and is returned to its normal position by means of a spring A6,`con nected to an extension Aof the lever A3. The free endvof the lever A? rests on the top end of a spindleF, situated within the diaphragmchamber B and having its upper end projecting through the casing thereof. At its lower end the spindle F carries or bears against a piston or plunger F", which rests on the diaphragm B and is adapted to slide up or down in the casing along the diaphragm. The pump-barrel communicates, by means of a conduit C', witha valve-chamber, in one endl of which is seated the lift-valve of the pump, consisting of a non-return ball-valve C4. This end of the chamber communicates with the reservoir C5 through a tube CG. Inthe other end of the valve-chamber is situated the delivery-valve of the pump, which also consists of a `non-return valve C3. This end of the chamber communicates'withtlie under side ln operation the pump draws oil or other Iiuid fromthe reservoir and forces it into the diaphragm-chamber beneath the diaphragm,thereby forcing the diaphragm upward against the action of the spring Gr, whiclrwhen the pump stops working returns the diaphragm to its normal position. A bypasspassage C7 is provided between the end of the valve-chamber, communicating with IOC `IOS

TIO

the diaphragm-chamber and the reservoir,

and in this passage is arranged a regulatingvalve C8, by which the amount of'liquid passing through the by-pass passage to the reservoir may be controlled. The end ofthe pumpplunger is extended and carries at its outer endtwo collars C9 G10, one of which, C9, is adjustable on the threaded part of the plunger l to oscillate with the pump-plunger.

and is provided with a lock-nut C11; but, if desired, both collars may be adjustable. Between the collars C9 and C10 is situated a sliding collar C12,connected to a lever H, the other end of which is fulcrumed at H' to a suitable support, or the sliding collar may be provided with gudgeon-pins and the lever H formed with forked ends to engage with the pins. At a point H2 intermediate of its ends the 1ever H is connected to a rod H3, by means of which it is rocked. Between the collars C12 and the collars C9 C10 are placed conicallycoiled springs C13 C14, by means of which the rod H is yieldingly connected to the pumpplunger, so that when the plunger is locked the lever is free to be rocked without straining the parts. When the plunger is released, the rocking motion of the lever is transmitted through the springs to the collars on the plunger, whereby the pump is operated.

To the fixed collar C10 is pivoted one end of the locking-lever I, the other end of which carries a hollow plug I', disposed in a chamber or receptacle I2, surrounded by insulating material I3. A film or skin I1, offusible metal, is placed between the outer periphery ot' the plug and the inner walls of the receptacle, and a body of fusible metal may also be placed within the hollow plug, which metal obtains a hold on the inner walls and end of the plug and onfthe end of the receptacle. In order to prevent dust or grit from gaining access to the fusible metal, a flange I5 is formed at the outer end of the plug and is provided with a downwardly-extending annular lip or ridge I6, adapted to lie in a corresponding groove on the top of the receptacle I2. A small quantity of fusible metal is placed in this groove and cooperates with the lip to form an airtight lock. The chamber is jacketed or surrounded by a heating-space I7, to which the contents of the generator have access, entering the space by the pipe IS, and after traversing the chamber leave it by the pipe I9, or the contents of the generator may be led around the chamber to a coiled helical tube, or other means whereby the chamber' is subjected to the heat of the contents of the generator may be employed.

The locking-lever may be formed separate from the plug, and the iiange may be con-v structed of an independent piece ot' material from either the plug or the lever. The rocking lever H is constantly tending to reciprocate the pump-plunger, which is normally held inoperative by the locking-lever I. If the temperature within the generator is raised by the heat from the burner above a predetermined limit-that is to say, above the limit at which the metal in the chamber I2 is fusedthe plug is released and the lever I permitted The pump then sucks fluid from the reservoir and forces it against the under side of the diaphragm, which is lifted against the action of its spring and operates the levers A3 A2,

whereby the sharp end of the controlling-rod projects into the nozzle and reduces the amount of fuel or vapor passing through the burner-orifice.

In Figs. 4, 5, and 6 a frictional locking device operated by the unequal expansion of metallic members is shown. In this case the locking-lever I is provided with a tapered part fitting into a recess or opening J' in a projection J2 of the plug J. The plug is preferably conical and fits a corresponding conical orifice-J3 in the casing J4,vwhich is jacketed to form a space J6, to which the contents of the generator have access. The casing is preferably formed of bronze or other similar metal and the plug of steel. Other metals, however, having different coefficients of expansion may be employed. Instead ot` being jacketed the casing may be surrounded by a coil to which the contents ot' the generator have access. With this arrangement when the temperature within the generator rises above the predetermined limit the casing J1 expands, thereby freeing the plug and permitting the locking-lever to oscillate with the pump-plunger. The end of the plug is extended and provided with a screw-threaded part having anA adjustable collar J5 and nut J9. The contents of the generator enter by the opening J7 and leave by the opening J8.

In a modified construction of locking device (shown in Figs. 7, 8, and 9) the periphery of the plug'K, which carries the arm I, is adapted to be gripped by jaws L, hinged at L to a plate L10, which also carries a center bearing L11 for the plug. The other ends of the jaws L are connected at L1 L5 to the ends of the metallic tubular members L2 L3, arranged one within the other. The end of the inner member is yieldingly connected to one of the jaws L by means of a spring M. The end of the member passes freely through an opening on the jaw and is provided with a collar L12, which bears against the jaw when the members expand. The spring M is placed between the jaw and an adjustable collar or nut L13 on the end ot' the member, and when the tubular members contract the jaw is pressed against the plug by the consequent compression of the spring M, which latter should further contraction of the members take place is further compressed and prevents straining of the parts. The other ends of the metallic members are rigidly connected together by means of a base-piece L6. The contents of the generator enter the outer tubular member by means of a pipe L7, and after traversing the length of the tubular member enter the inner tubular member through perforations L8 and iinally leave, after traversing the inner tubular member, by means of a pipe L9, or, as above stated, any arrangement of tubular members having different coefficients of expansion may be employed. With this arrangement on an increase of temperature within the generator above the predetermined limit the tubular members expand unequally,

thereby causing the jaws to release the plug similar burners, the combination with regu! lating mechanism, of a pump operating a fluid which directly actuates'the regulating mechanism, a constantly-moving member yieldingly connected to the pump, a locking-arm connected to the pump, a plug onthe arm, and a chamber to which the contents of the generator have access, cooperating with the plug to lock and release the arm in the mauner and for the purpose set forth.

2. In apparatus for governing vapor,oil and similar burners, the combination with regulating mechanism comprising levers controlling the burnerof a pump, a constantly-movingmember yieldingly connected tothe pump, a locking-arm, a plug connected to the arm, and achamber to which the contents `ot Vthe generator have access and which cooperates with the plug to lock or release the arm, substantially as described. t

3. In apparatus for governing vapor,oil and similar burners, the combination with leverregulating mechanism, of a diaphragm, a diaphragm-chamber, afiuid-reservoir'for the diaphragm-chamber, a pump communicating with the reservoir and with the diaphragmchamber, a constantly-moving lever yieldingly connected with the pump,.a lockingarm` connected to the pump, a plug on the arm, and a chamber subjected directly to the temperature of the contents of the generator and which coperates with the plug to loch and release the arm, substantially described.

4. In apparatus for governing vapor,oil and similar burners, the combination with leverregulating mechanism, of a flexible diaphragm, a diaphragm-chamber, a fluid-reser- Voir for the diaphragm-chamber, a pump communicating through valve-controlled conduits with the diaphragm-chamber` and the reservoir, aconstantly-moving lever yieldingly connected to the pump-plunger, a locking-arm connected to the pump-plunger, a plug on the arm, and a chamber to which the contents of the generator have access, sub-` 6. In apparatus for governing vapor, oil and similar burners, the combination with leverregulating mechanism, of a diaphragm, a diaphragm-chamber, a huid-reservoir communieating wit-hthe diaphragm-chamber through a by-pass conduit, a regulating device in the conduit, a pump communicating through valve-con trolledconduits with the diaphragmchamber and the reservoir, a constantly-moving lever, resilient bodies between the lever and the pump-plu nger, a locking-arm, a plug on the arm, and a chamber cooperating with the plug and to which the contents Vof the generator have access, substantially as and4 for the purpose described.

`7. In apparatus for governing vapor, oil and similar burners, the combinationwith leverregulating mechanism, of a diaphragm, a diaphragm-chamber, a fluid-reservoir, a pump communicating with the diaphragm-chamber and the reservoir, a constantly-moving lever,

collars on the pump-plunger, springs between the lever and the collars, a locking-arm pivoted on the plunger, a plug on the arm, a chamber cooperating with the plug` andzto which the conteu ts ofthe generator have access, and means between the plug and the chamber for holding the plug stationary, substantially as described.

8. ln apparatus for governing vapor, oil and similar burners,.the combination with leverregulating mechanism, of a diaphragm, a diaphragm-chamber, a duid-reservoir, a pump communicating withV the diaphragm-chamber and the reservoir, a constantly-moving lever, collars on the pump-plunger, springs between the lever and the collars, a lockingarm pivoted on the plunger, a hollow plug on the arm, a chamber cooperating with the plug and to which the contents of the generator have access, and fusible metal between the plug' and the chamber, substantially as and for the purpose described.

9. In apparatus for governing vapor, oil and similar burners, thecombination with leverregulating mechanism, of a diaphragm, a diaphragm-chamber, a fluid-reservoir, a pump communicating with the diaphragm-chamber and the reservoir, a constantly-moving lever, collars on the pump-plunger, springs between the lever and the collars, a locking-arm pivoted on the plunger, a hollow plug on the arm, a chamber cooperating with the plug and to which the contents ofthe generator have access, a cap for the chamber, coacting grooves and lips. on the cap and thev chamber, and means for lockingand unlocking the plug controlled by the heat of the contents of the generator passing through the chamber, substantially as described. y

i In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence `of two subscribing witnesses.

THOMAS CLARKSON. v Witnesses:

y Fanno. HANns,

T. J. OsMAN.

IOO

IIO 

